Facing the Music
For decades, the Bollywood film and music industries have been two sides of the same coin, making playback music the norm and giving playback singers an equal claim to popularity as film stars. With hits like Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Zoobi Doobi, his voice is synonymous with several classic films of the last three decades – few playback singers' fame is as ubiquitous as Sonu Nigam's. In Karnataka, he is known for his romantic Kannada ballads like Ee Sanje Yakagide and Ninnindale. Recently, however, during his concert at East Point College of Engineering and Technology in Avalahalli, Nigam got embroiled in a heated controversy, when he was heckled by an audience member to sing in Kannada, following which the former refused and drew a comparison with Pahalgam. An FIR has also been filed against Sonu Nigam for the same. The city's residents and artistes react:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
2 hours ago
- Hans India
Tulu Cinema on the Rise: A Busy Slate Signals a Bright Future for Coastalwood
Mangaluru: Once regarded as a modest regional film industry, Tulu cinema—often dubbed Coastalwood—is today witnessing a striking surge in both production and popularity. With over five decades of cinematic heritage, the industry is now abuzz with multiple projects simultaneously in the pipeline, prominent names joining the fray, and an optimistic shift in audience expectations. This year alone has already seen the release of a few films, and by July onward, at least 25 more are expected to queue up for release through 2026. Films like Daskat, Middle Class Family, and Meera have helped reshape the narrative, signalling to audiences that Tulu cinema is no longer confined to traditional storytelling—it's evolving, innovating, and aiming higher. From Slow Burn to Sprint The Tulu film industry, which dates back to 1971 with the release of Enna Tangadi, has released around 147 films so far. While some projects have stalled for various reasons, the pace has picked up dramatically in recent years. With fresh investments and an influx of new talent, filmmakers are racing against time—and each other—to bring their stories to the screen. However, this surge comes with its own set of challenges. A high volume of simultaneous productions has led to scheduling conflicts among actors and technicians, with even release dates becoming a matter of negotiation. Many producers are now urging for a minimum three-week gap between releases to avoid cannibalising their already limited market. Star Power Arrives What is most encouraging is that the Coastalwood movement has begun to attract actors from mainstream industries. Bollywood star Suniel Shetty has taken up a role in Jai, directed by Roopesh Shetty, while South Indian actor Suman Talwar stars in Nethrakere. Kannada actor Vasishta Simha features in Kajje, and Sandalwood icon Ganesh has joined a Tulu project produced by his wife, Shilpa Ganesh. This kind of cross-industry collaboration, once unthinkable for a niche language like Tulu, is giving a major boost to visibility and audience engagement. Upcoming Releases July will see the release of Dharmachavadi, directed by Nitin Rai Kukkavalu. In August, all eyes are on the high-profile Non Veg, directed by K Suraj Shetty and produced by Prakash Pandeshwar. Films such as Pidai by Santosh Mad and Nethrakere by Lanchulaal, starring Swaraj Shetty, are also expected to hit screens soon. Additionally, several films are in various stages of production, including Kattemar, Kailasa, Toss, Gajanan Cricketers, Manemanchavu, 90 ML, God Promise, Ayesabbas, Digil, Birdda Kambala, Life is Jingalala, Pettist, Production No.1 Chapter 1—all of which point toward a robust and evolving creative landscape. Multiplex Challenges and Financial Hurdles Despite the content boom, theatrical access remains a key challenge. Tulu films rely heavily on multiplexes, where revenue-sharing terms are skewed unfavourably compared to Kannada or Hindi films. Producers claim that the return on investment remains tight, and unless there is equitable distribution and revenue-sharing, the industry will struggle to become financially sustainable. According to Tulu Film Producers' Association President R. Dhanaraj, discussions with multiplex owners are currently underway to address revenue-sharing disparities. The Road Ahead With its market still largely restricted to coastal Karnataka, Coastalwood's growth hinges on expanding its audience beyond linguistic borders. Subtitling, streaming platforms, and cross-industry collaborations could all play crucial roles in this expansion. What remains clear is that Tulu cinema is no longer a fringe player. It's gaining momentum, bringing diverse narratives to screen, and drawing from a pool of talent that spans the length and breadth of Indian cinema. If nurtured with the right infrastructure and support, Tulu cinema could well emerge as a powerful cultural export from the southern coast of India.
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Discretion is the best part of valour, Karnataka High Court reminds makers of Thug Life film
The High Court of Karnataka on Friday asked actor Kamal Haasan's Raajkamal Films International (RKFI), Chennai, to file its statement of objections, if any, against the applications filed by the Kannada Sahitya Parishat (KSP) and an advocate, who want to be part of proceedings in its petition seeking protection for the release of the Tamil film Thug Life in Karnataka. Justice M. Nagaprasanna passed the order while adjourning further hearing till June 20 on the petition, filed by the RKFI, which had also sought a direction to retrain the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) from issuing any instruction in relation to banning release and distribution of Thug Life in Karnataka as the KFCC had demanded an apology from Mr. Haasan for his controversial statement that 'Kannada is born out of Tamil'. Mr. Haasan is one of the directors of the RKFI. 'Stupid statement' Earlier, Senior Advocate S. Basavaraj, who appeared for the KSP, termed as a 'stupid statement' the actor's remark on Kannada, while placing some books before the court on historical background of the language. Mr. Basavaraj also questioned how a person, who set his house on fire can seek the help from the court to douse the blaze, while pointing out that opposition for the release the film was a result of his statement on Kannada without any basis. 'Again, I am repeating, discretion is the best part of valour,' the court orally told the petitioner's advocate while adjourning the hearing, to which the petitioner's advocate said he would convey it to the petitioner. Earlier observations During an earlier hearing on June 3, the court had said it was 'of the prima facie opinion that, if a sentence of apology had been included while concluding the communication [from Mr. Haasan to the KFCC], it would have concluded/ended all controversy and the unrest or disharmony in the State of Karnataka' on release of the film. Also, the court on June 5 adjourned the hearing as the petitioner's advocate had said the screening of the movie would not be insisted upon till the dialogue/trialogue with the KFCC to resolve the issue after Mr. Haasan chose not to go by the suggestion made by the court to apologise to put an end to the controversy.
India Gazette
3 hours ago
- India Gazette
SC seeks Karnataka govt's response to plea over non-release of 'Thug Life' in State theatres
New Delhi [India], June 13 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Friday sought the Karnataka government's response to a plea seeking protection from threats against the screening of Kamal Haasan's film 'Thug Life'. Considering the urgency of the matter, a bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Manmohan issued notices to the Karnataka government, the State police, Raaj Kamal Films International Private Limited and the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) seeking their responses to the plea. During the hearing, the counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that no action has been taken by the state authorities in Karnataka despite violent threats being issued against linguistic minorities in the State. 'No FIR has been registered. They have joined hands with extremist elements', advocate A Velan stated. After hearing the matter, the Court sought the responses of the aforesaid authorities and listed the matter to be heard next week. On Monday, the top court had refused to urgently hear Reddy's plea and had asked the petitioner to approach the concerned High Court. Subsequently, the matter was listed before the top court to be heard today (Friday). During the hearing on Monday, counsel appearing for the petitioner stated that a law-and-order situation is arising in the State, as cinema halls are receiving threats from certain fringe elements. Further, the counsel had stated that threats are being issued that the theatres will be set on fire. Hence, theatres in the State sought protection from the top court. The issue arose over an alleged statement recently made by actor Kamal Hassan, which said 'Kannada was born out of Tamil'. As per the petitioners' plea, there is an effective ban on the CBFC-certified film Thug Life in Karnataka, which is caused by violent threats from private groups, and the state authorities have failed to take action in this regard. The plea argued that such inaction violates the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. This right applies not only to filmmakers but also to the public who want to view films. The top court will hear the matter next week. (ANI)
